Lexical Summary Parpar: Parpar Original Word: פַרְפַר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Pharpar Probably from parar in the sense of rushing; rapid; Parpar, a river of Syria -- Pharpar. see HEBREW parar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition a river near Damascus NASB Translation Pharpar (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs מַּרְמַּר proper name, of a river near Damascus 2 Kings 5:12 (A) φαρφαρ; A φαρφαρα; perhaps modern 'Awaj, south of Damascus Rob BRiii. 447 f. Topical Lexicon Biblical Setting Pharpar appears a single time in the Old Testament, within Naaman’s narrative. “Are not Abanah and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be cleansed?” (2 Kings 5:12). Naaman, the commander of the Aramean army, utters these words when Elisha’s prescription to dip in the Jordan seems beneath his dignity. Pharpar therefore serves as a foil to the Jordan, highlighting the issue of human pride versus humble obedience to God’s word. Geographical and Historical Profile Pharpar (modern Awaj) flows south of Damascus, rising in the Anti-Lebanon range, crossing fertile plains before dissipating into marshlands on the edge of the Syrian Desert. Together with the Abanah (modern Barada), it formed the lifeline of ancient Damascus, supporting extensive irrigation canals attested by classical writers and continuing today. The river’s dependable, clear waters made it a point of civic pride for Syrians. To Naaman, Pharpar symbolized sophistication and military success, in contrast to the modest, muddy Jordan of Israel. Theological Themes 1. Humility and Obedience. Naaman’s preference for Pharpar underscores the perennial temptation to trust in the impressive, the familiar, or the culturally esteemed. God calls him instead to Jordan, proving that cleansing is received by faith, not by human valuation (2 Kings 5:13–14). Ministry Significance • Evangelistic Appeal. Pharpar reminds believers that people often cling to respectable substitutes—education, culture, ritual—when God offers a simple gospel remedy. Archaeological and Cultural Notes Ancient canal systems known as the Nahr el-Awaj canals, some still traceable, channeled Pharpar’s waters to Damascus’ orchards, fulfilling Isaiah’s description of Damascus as “a city of rejoicing” (Isaiah 17:13). Roman engineers later extended these channels, confirming the river’s agricultural value reputed in Naaman’s time. Devotional Reflection Pharpar’s pristine flow could not heal leprosy; only the word of the LORD, accepted in humility, could do that. In every age God still confronts human pride with a call to simple trust: “Wash and be cleansed.” Forms and Transliterations וּפַרְפַּ֜ר ופרפר ū·p̄ar·par ufarPar ūp̄arparLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Kings 5:12 HEB: (אֲמָנָ֨ה ק) וּפַרְפַּ֜ר נַהֲר֣וֹת דַּמֶּ֗שֶׂק NAS: Are not Abanah and Pharpar, the rivers KJV: [Are] not Abana and Pharpar, rivers INT: better Abana and Pharpar the rivers of Damascus 1 Occurrence |
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